Li Shanhai knew that Qi Yinglong had mobilized the army on Tian Qilin's orders, but he feigned ignorance and avoided direct conflict with the Bai family, focusing solely on Qi Yinglong's transgression.
"Lord Li! You know very well why I mobilized the army!" Qi Yinglong gritted his teeth, refusing to believe Li Shanhai would dare to fall out with the Tian family at this moment.
"Slap!" Li Shanhai delivered another slap, shouting angrily.
"I do not know! I ask you again! As a general of Qin, without my or the Qin Lord's command, who gave you the courage to mobilize the army on your own? Are you trying to rebel?"
The moment this was said, Qi Yinglong's face changed drastically. Even Tian Qilin frowned deeply. Rebellion? That was a grave charge. Tian Qilin merely wished to protect the four great families and incidentally eliminate Li Xiaotian; he had never considered rebellion. Once he entertained such thoughts, his Tian family would provide the Qin dynasty with legitimate grounds to deal with them.
"Li Shanhai, this is not Qi Yinglong's fault." Tian Qilin said with a frown. He believed Li Shanhai knew what was going on, but Li Shanhai deliberately ignoring him made things difficult.
"Oh? Young Master Tian, Qi Yinglong mobilized the army without authorization, this is a fact, so how is it not his fault?"
Li Shanhai asked, his tone gentle, completely opposite to his demeanor towards Qi Yinglong.
A glint flashed in Tian Qilin's eyes as he stared intently at Li Shanhai. Still pretending to be foolish?
"Qi Yinglong was ordered by me to mobilize the army. I discovered a group of bandits causing havoc in the capital and ordered Qi Yinglong to bring troops to resolve the situation."
"Young Master Tian is joking. How could Young Master Tian possibly order Qi Yinglong to do something so irregular? Qi Yinglong clearly harbors malicious intent and mobilized the army with ulterior motives. Young Master Tian, you don't need to deliberately tarnish yourself to exonerate Qi Yinglong. Young Master Tian, you are too kind-hearted."
Li Shanhai said with a smile, still playing dumb, stubbornly holding onto Qi Yinglong and completely avoiding implicating the Tian family.
"Lord Li!" Qi Yinglong's face changed drastically. Li Shanhai's refusal to acknowledge the Tian family was going to be his undoing! He immediately became anxious, looking at Tian Qilin for help.
Tian Qilin's heart was also filled with immediate anger. Li Shanhai's persistent feigning of ignorance and disregard for the Tian family's reputation meant Qi Yinglong would inevitably be convicted! This was not the outcome he desired.
"Li Shanhai! What exactly do you mean? Qi Yinglong mobilized the army under my young master's command. Do you believe my Tian family is not qualified to command him?"
Ah San said darkly, staring intently at Li Shanhai with a hint of anger in his eyes.
"How dare you!!! You mere servant, what nonsense are you spouting here? Do you wish to frame the Tian family and lead them into injustice?"
Li Shanhai immediately put on an angry expression, scolding Ah San, and then continued speaking.
"The Tian family has no involvement in worldly affairs, their magnanimity is such, how could they do such a thing? Qi Yinglong, as the commander of the Imperial Guard, responsible for the lives of millions in the capital, do you know that if he harbors rebellious thoughts, the lives of everyone in the capital would be in danger, even the Lord of Qin! Yet you tell me the Tian family can command Qi Yinglong to do anything. Do you want me to misunderstand that the Tian family has rebellious thoughts?"
Upon hearing Li Shanhai's words, the expressions of those around him changed. Especially Tian Qilin and the old man Ah San behind him. Li Shanhai's accusation was too serious. Although the Tian family had many pawns in the Qin dynasty, they absolutely had no intention of restoring the Great Heavenly Dynasty. If they dared to harbor even the slightest hint of such ambition, they would face the thunderous wrath of the Qin dynasty!
"Heh heh, Lord Li is joking. Ah San, slap yourself and apologize to Lord Li!"
Tian Qilin quickly said. Although he was extremely angry, he had no choice but to endure. Li Shanhai's move left him unable to retaliate and too afraid to do so.
"Yes, Lord Li, this subordinate has sinned. What I said just now was nonsensical. I beg Lord Li not to take it to heart." Ah San said with a pale face, looking terrified.
"Hmph! Young Master Tian, if I were you, I would immediately beat this servant to death. He is merely a slave, and he nearly caused great disaster for his master. His intentions are punishable!"
Li Shanhai said with a cold face, his eyes carrying a murderous intent.
Tian Qilin suppressed his anger and spoke with a smile.
"Lord Li is joking. Ah San is loyal to the Tian family and has absolutely no other intentions."
"That's good. Young Master Tian, if there is nothing else, please excuse yourself. After I have dealt with the Qin dynasty's state affairs, I will host a welcoming banquet for Young Master Tian."
Li Shanhai said, deliberately emphasizing the words "Qin dynasty's state affairs," making his meaning clear: the following matters are state affairs of Qin, and you, an outsider, should not interfere.
Tian Qilin's expression darkened upon hearing this. Was Li Shanhai preparing to deal with Qi Yinglong? It was known that Qi Yinglong was cultivated by their Tian family and had mobilized the army under his command. If he did not protect him, it would chill the hearts of many who worked for the Tian family.
"Young Master Tian." Qi Yinglong also panicked. He had not expected Li Shanhai to show no respect for the Tian family at all. Even the Lord of Qin himself would not deliberately embarrass the Tian family.
The people from the four great families nearby also felt anxious and uneasy. They thought the matter was settled, but unexpectedly, Li Shanhai appeared, and his attitude was so resolute, completely unlike the Li Shanhai who used to bow and scrape to their ancient martial families.
"Lord Li, you and I both know what this is about. Give me some face, I will take my men and retreat, and you don't need to make a mountain out of a molehill by implicating Qi Yinglong."
Tian Qilin said in a deep voice, his heart filled with humiliation. He had actually spoken such conciliatory words to Li Shanhai! This was a complete loss of face for his Tian family.
"Heh heh, Young Master Tian speaking like this makes things difficult for me." Li Shanhai smiled, then looked at Tian Qilin.
"The four great families, Qi Yinglong, one of them must take responsibility for today's events!"
"You...!" Tian Qilin's face was instantly filled with anger.
"Li Shanhai, how dare you!!" Bai Tianxia also looked furious. He could not believe Li Shanhai was so aggressive!
"Lord Li, Young Master Tian, save me!" Qi Yinglong was frantic. He knew his own value. Regardless of how few people the four great families had left, his worth was far from comparable to theirs.
Li Shanhai narrowed his eyes and said word by word.
"The Dragon King's Palace is an ally of the Qin dynasty, and the Red Dragon is the sharpest sword of Qin to the outside world. Someone must be held accountable for the deaths of their people today!"
Tian Qilin gritted his teeth, cast a deep glance at Li Shanhai, then glanced at Qi Yinglong. If he dealt with Qi Yinglong this time, even if the latter survived, he would never hold significant power again. However, the four great families were different; their foundations were still intact!
"Let's go!" Tian Qilin said angrily, turned, and left directly, clearly preparing to abandon Qi Yinglong.
The people of the four great families also breathed a sigh of relief and quickly followed Tian Qilin away.
"Young Master Tian! Young Master Tian, save me! You can't do this! I am loyal to the Tian family!" Qi Yinglong shouted, his heart turning cold.